When you try to walk faster, the natural inclination is to lengthen your stride in front, reaching out further with your forward foot. This leads to a clumsy gait and results in the feet striking too hard on the ground. Your shins hurt and you really don't get anywhere faster.

The Cure:

All of the power of your walk comes from pushing with the back leg and foot. If you are trying to walk fast, concentrate on taking shorter, quicker steps. Then think of really rolling through your step with your back foot and leg, getting a good push off. The result will be faster feet and a lengthening of your stride where it does you some good - in back.

• Too heavy
• Stiff - soles won't bend, can't twist them.
• Over 1 year old
• Too small. The foot swells while walking

If this describes your shoes, you are setting yourself up for plantar fasciitis, muscle pulls and knee problems.

The Cure:

Get fit for the proper shoes at a technical running shoe store in your area. The athletic shoe experts will make sure you get the right shoe for over-pronation as well as one that's flexible enough for walking and sized right for the swelling everyone's feet have while walking.